Chapter 127
“Shares?” Calen’s voice shook. “She wanted shares?”
88%
+13)
Cecil sat opposite her son, pouring herself a glass of wine. “I’ve already agreed to give her five percent of my ten percent shares,” she said, setting the bottle down. “My lawyers will handle the transfer. Once everything is processed, it’ll be legally under her name.”
Calen’s jaw tensed. “But Mom-”
Cecil took a slow sip of her wine before meeting his glare. “This mess? You created it, Calen. Don’t forget that.”
Calen’s jaw clenched. “Why would you give her shares that belong to me?”
Cecil’s grip tightened around the stem of her glass. “They don’t belong to you,” she said coolly. “Those shares are mine. I’m choosing to compensate Izzy with them.”
Compensate. The word left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Inwardly, Cecil fumed as she recalled the conversation she had with Izzy.
She had gone into that meeting thinking she could negotiate and intimidate Izzy into backing down. Instead, she had been met with sarcasm, wit, and an unshakable resolve she hadn’t expected.
“I thought you were smarter than this, Cecil,” Izzy had said, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Bribing me with pocket change? I thought you actually wanted to negotiate.”
Cecil had gritted her teeth. “Twenty million is not pocket change.”
“To you, maybe,” Izzy had mused. “To me? It’s a number I could make in a week.”
Cecil had wanted to slap that smug expression off her face, but she held herself back.
“What do you want, then?” she had finally asked, her patience wearing thin.
Izzy
had smiled. “I want something worth my time.”
And then she had said it.
Shares.
Cecil had nearly laughed at its absurdity. But the way Izzy looked at her as if she already knew she would win, had sent a cold feeling down her spine.
Every argument Cecil threw at her had been deflected with ease. Every attempt to shift the conversation in her favor had been turned back against her.
Izzy had won.
Cecil just hadn’t expected it.
The Izzy she knew used to listen to whatever Calen said. She used to follow his decisions without question. But that girl was
gone.
Now, Cecil had no choice but to hand over five percent of her shares.
12:16 Mon, 17 Feb
Chapter 127
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༢ .,20% 88%
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Luckily, their conversation was interrupted by Izzy’s secretary informing her that food had been delivered from Mr.
Horvath,
Liam Horvath,
From the looks of it, Liam Horvath had been sending Izzy food for some time now. Obviously, she wasn’t planning to tell Calen about this. Calen had always seen Liam Horvath as a rival because they were the same age. She didn’t want to provoke her son again and cause even more chaos. It was enough that Calen knew how ruthless Izzy was. Perhaps now, he would try to stay away from her.
She took a sip of her wine, composing herself before looking at her son. “Don’t worry, Calen. You’ll still have the other five percent.”
Calen’s expression darkened.
Five percent.
The same amount Izzy would now own.
His grip on his glass tightened.
It wasn’t just about numbers.
Five percent was still five percent.
And with Izzy’s ability, people in the company would listen to her more than they listened to him.
Calen clenched his jaw.
Izzy had just made herself his equal.
“Fine!” Calen narrowed his eyes. What happened in the boardroom was still fresh in his mind. Izzy had prepared everything -the recordings, the pictures. It was as if she had known this was going to happen. Was this the real Izzy?
He got up and took his phone out of his pocket. Earlier today, he received some updates on the Macau project. He knew the project was going well. However…
He opened his phone and dialed a number.
“I thought you’d forgotten about me,” a coquettish voice answered. The owner of this voice was none other than Pamella Johnson–his fake girlfriend.
“I need your help,” Calen said.
“Well… I was expecting that,” Pamella said. “We can talk in person.”
“You’re in New York. Are you expecting me to-”
“To meet my parents, yes. Just like we discussed when we started this deal,” Pamella said. “I helped you in Macau, it is time that you do your part, Calen.”
Calen gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening around his phone. He didn’t like being forced into a corner, but right now,he had no choice.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll come to New York.”
12:16 Mon, 17 Feb
Chapter 127
Pamella laughed softly on the other end. “Good boy, I’ll text you the details”
Calen ended the call without another word. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched. This wasn’t part of his one plan, but if he had to use Pamella to regain control, then so be it.
Monica sat in the law office, her hands resting on her lap. Across from her, Samantha scrolled through her phone, donde their FundForACause donations. Their lawyer, a middle–aged man with sharp features and an expensive wit, tapped his pe against the table as he listened.
“I want two hundred million,” Monica said, lifting her chin. “Izzy should pay for what she did”
The lawyer leaned back, considering. “Two hundred million is possible. But if we position this correctly, we can push for more.” He set his pen down. “She got you fired. That alone is grounds for a wrongful termination daim. Not to mention the emotional distress you’ve suffered.”
Samantha’s eyes gleamed. “How much more are we talking?”
The lawyer smirked. “At least three hundred million, if not more.”
Monica’s breath hitched slightly. Samantha leaned in, intrigued. “And what else?”
The lawyer steepled his fingers. “We can frame this as a case of extreme emotional and reputational damage. Izzy actions didn’t just take away your job–they ruined your standing in the industry. You’ve been publicly humiliated, your career prospects are affected, and you suffered a traumatic miscarriage because of it.” He glanced at Monica That alone could drive the settlement up.”
Samantha grinned. “So we keep the pressure on.”
The lawyer nodded. “Exactly. The more public this becomes, the more desperate she’ll be to settle.”
Monica shifted slightly. “Should I keep posting videos?”
The lawyer gestured toward Samantha. “She should. Samantha has a bigger platform, and public sympathy is on your side. The more viral this gets, the higher the pressure on Izzy.”
Monica hesitated. “But… can we get sued for that?”
The lawyer chuckled, shaking his head. “Izzy wouldn’t dare. She risks dragging this into an even bigger scandal. The rich don’t like court battles–they like quick settlements.” He folded his hands on the table. “Trust me, she’s going to pay to make this go away.”
Monica exhaled, glancing at Samantha.
Samantha smirked, already typing something on her phone.
“I’ll make sure people keep talking,” Samantha said. “Izzy won’t have a choice but to settle.”
Monica’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Good.”
This time, she wouldn’t lose.
